Athens Generating Plant — United States of America
Gas power plant in New York, United States of America. Approximate location 42.2728, -73.8492.
GasNew YorkUnited States of AmericaCO₂ measured
Athens Generating Plant is a 1,221 MW gas power station in New York, United States of America. It is operated by New Athens Generating Company LLC. Based on reported annual generation of 2,917 GWh, it can supply roughly 833k homes. It ranks #457 of 10,884 United States of America power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2003, it is around 23 years old — relatively modern. Its annual emissions of 705,858 t CO₂/yr (US EPA GHGRP) are equivalent to about 165k cars driven for a year. In context, gas supplies about 40.0% of United States of America's electricity; the national grid averages 384 gCO₂/kWh (43.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id USA0055405.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000402122; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 1,221 MW, Athens Generating Plant is well above the median gas plant in United States of America (121.2 MW). Gas plants burn natural gas either in open-cycle turbines for fast peaking, or in combined-cycle units that recover exhaust heat in an HRSG to reach roughly 55–62% efficiency — the cleanest-burning fossil option.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
705,858 t CO₂/yr — in everyday terms
This facility's annual emissions are roughly equivalent to:
Equivalencies via US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies; emissions per US EPA GHGRP (measured for US EPA/EU ETS, modelled for Climate TRACE).
Key facts
- Load factor
- 27%, from 2,917 GWh of reported generation; the median for 1622 gas plants in United States of America that report generation is 26%
- Share of United States of America gas capacity
- 0.2% of 789,950 MW across 2,165 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 1,160 of 1,973 dated gas plants in United States of America are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Reported generation trend
Annual generation (GWh), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by New Athens Generating Company LLC.
Local climate & thermal context
This gas plant burns natural gas in a turbine — often in a combined-cycle setup — to generate electricity. It sits in a hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 42.3°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 42% above the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.
Climate heat-demand index: 76/100 — this site sits in the top third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~0% below its ISO (15°C) rating at this annual mean (typical CCGT curve, estimate).
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a mild atmospheric environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C2 — Low), with thermal cycling the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #143 largest gas power plant of 2165 in United States of America by capacity.
United States of America has 2165 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 789,950 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- West Coxsackie · Gas · 21.3 MW · New York
- South Cairo · Oil · 21.3 MW · New York
- Greene County Meter #1 · Solar · 1.6 MW · New York
- Stuyvesant Falls · Hydro · 6 MW · New York
- Greene County nuclear power plant · Nuclear · 1,212 MW · New York
- Bethlehem - East · Solar · 1.7 MW · New York
Location
Coordinates 42.2728, -73.8492 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Athens Generating Plant?
Athens Generating Plant is a 1,221 MW gas power plant in New York, United States of America, commissioned in 2003.
How much electricity does Athens Generating Plant generate?
Athens Generating Plant generates about 2,917 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Athens Generating Plant?
Athens Generating Plant is operated by New Athens Generating Company LLC.
How much CO₂ does Athens Generating Plant emit?
Athens Generating Plant has measured emissions of about 705,858 tonnes of CO₂ per year (US EPA GHGRP).